A historical account, a house with a detailed room layout and an information board about Tun Teja show how varied Merlimau’s cultural themes are. This is helpful when making your choice: you can distinguish between the history of a well and its use, the construction of a house, and the remembrance of a person.

Perigi Portugis: History and Heritage

Perigi Portugis is located in Kampung Pengkalan Samak, Merlimau. According to historical accounts, Portuguese soldiers are said to have built the well while keeping watch during a conflict with the Bugis. Its former use is also associated with these soldiers: the well is said to have served as a source of drinking water for the men stationed there. The water is also said to have been used for daily needs and to bathe their horses. Thus, the conflict and the soldiers’ everyday lives are part of the well’s historical narrative.

The well is built of laterite stone. Under the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645), it is registered as a heritage site and managed by Perbadanan Muzium Melaka (PERZIM). The enhancement of Perigi Portugis was completed in November 2023. This brings together historical accounts, building material and heritage status; the enhancement adds a more recent, dated milestone.

Rumah Demang Abdul Ghani: Construction and Room Layout

Rumah Demang Abdul Ghani in Pekan Merlimau was built in 1831 by Demang Abdul Ghani bin Penghulu Abdul Majid, a wealthy man from Palembang. The house was built without nails and comprises six main rooms: Anjung, Serambi, Rumah Ibu, bedroom, Rumah Tengah and kitchen. There is also an attic reserved for women. The list of rooms makes the house’s layout tangible; alongside local room names, the bedroom and kitchen are explicitly identified.

In 2011, Perbadanan Muzium Melaka (PERZIM) took over the house and turned it into the Galeri Demang Abdul Ghani. This makes it easy to distinguish the building’s history, dating from 1831, from its later conversion into a gallery.

Makam Tun Teja: Remembrance and Information

At Makam Tun Teja in Kampung Pengkalan Samak, Merlimau, visitors can take photos as keepsakes. An information board allows them to learn more about Tun Teja’s story. The photo offers a personal memento of the visit, while the board conveys the person’s story. In this way, remembrance and historical information sit side by side.

The thematic differences are specific: at Perigi Portugis, laterite stone and a historically reported use come together; at Rumah Demang Abdul Ghani, the year it was built, its construction and its room layout make the history of the house tangible. At Makam Tun Teja, history is conveyed through remembrance and the information board. These different approaches can help you choose the cultural focus of your stay in Merlimau according to your interests.

Discover more destinations: Bukit Rambai, Tanjung Kling, Masjid Tanah, Alor Gajah, Sungai Rambai, Klebang Besar, Durian Tunggal, Sungai Udang

For the main travel overview: Malacca.